Blogger Recognition Award ~ 6 years on

Well I've just gone passed my 6 year Blogiversary and I've been nominated for a Blogger Recognition Award! I was nominated by the Author of The Infinity Pool, Jessica Norrie. Check out her blog. I recently assisted her with some research for her up and coming new novel, recruiting some friends of mine from various ethnic backgrounds. So thank you Jessica, I was really touched by this. 

How and why did I start my blog?
I think it was world book night in 2011 that got me into blogging. I was chosen to give out the book "Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters. When I look back at that post, it makes me proud of how far I've come with my blogging. The post itself was basic, boring and lacking anything interesting. I'm surprised I managed to get any followers at all. I have learnt a lot over the past 6 years ago, mainly thanks to other bloggers. 

How is it going now? 
To date my blog has had over 150k views, although I only have 130 followers, but I'm okay with that. More would always be nice though. It's interesting that they are from all over the world. I do however have 470+ followers on Facebook and others on Twitter. That always puzzles me as my posts link through to my blog.

Most of my posts are obviously book and travel related, although mostly books at the moment. I hope to increase my travel posts. I have had other bloggers share posts on my blog too, which is always fun. 

I have met some amazing people through my blogging, ranging from fellow bloggers to Authors and Publishers. I love the blogging community.

What advice would I give to other bloggers?
1. Think about your post and re-read it before you post it. Does it make sense? Is it interesting?
2. Watch out for copyright if sharing images. It's not always easy to find out who they belong to, but if it says who owns it try and contact them for permission and credit them with the image. 
3. Choose a font that is easy to read for everyone. Also be aware of font colours. I myself for example, have a job to read red writing on certain backgrounds. Choose a background that's easy on the eye. 
4. Break up your posts with images. People switch off if you post just lots of text, if you haven't grabbed them in the first few sentences. 
5. Don't put pressure on yourself to be as articulate as other bloggers. Just be yourself and enjoy it. 
6. Keep in touch with the blogging community on social media. There's some great blogs out there! 

I would like to nominate a few of my favourite blogs too. The badges I've chosen have no copyright marks shown, so please notify me if they're yours! 

OK my blog choices are:-


Random Things Through my Letterbox - Anne's blog is full of great book recommendations and reviews. Her reviews have cost me a lot of money in book purchases!

Being Anne - Books, Travel and Other Interesting Things. 

Trip Fiction - A blog that features books set in destinations all over the world. I've bought some great reads from their recommendations.

Going Crazy! Wanna Go? Janet is from Texas. She blogs about being a Mum, Weigh Loss and Depression and lots more. A brutally honest blog. 

Murder Down to a Tea - Rebecca is an ex police detective and gives tips on different aspects of policing for those who want to write a crime novel. She is also a crime author herself. She has some really interesting posts on her blog. 

To all of you, please keep blogging as I love following your blogs. Feel free to choose from either badge above if you accept the nomination. As I've said I can't find copyright for them. 

If you accept this nomination (and you don't have to):

• Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide links to their blog.
• Write a post to show you have the award and attach the logo to your post
• Write a brief story of how your blog started
• Give a piece of advice or two, to new bloggers
• Select your choice of blogs you want to give the award to. There is no limit.

Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them. Please don't be offended if they decide not to mention it on their blog or make any awards of their own. It is entirely up to them what they put on their blog and it may not fit in with their plans. 

Thank you again to Jessica for my nomination! 

Three Weeks Dead by Rebecca Bradley ~ Showcase & Giveaway #bookreview

Title - Three Weeks Dead

Author - Rebecca Bradley 

Buy Link - Click here

Synopsis ~

How far would you go if someone took your wife? Especially, if you buried her a week ago. When Jason Wells is faced with this scenario, he is confronted with the prospect of committing a crime that will have far-reaching consequences. Can young DC Sally Poynter get through to him before he crosses that line, or does a desperate husband prove to be the case she won’t ever forget? A prequel novella, set before Shallow Waters, the first in the DI Hannah Robbins series.

For fans of James Patterson's Book Shots

Often I'm put off reading novella's as I think, after looking at the synopsis, how can a book cover so much content effectively and manage to hold your interest in so few pages. Well I needn't have worried about this one. It really did hold my attention.

The plot surrounds the crime of body-snatching, something you don't really hear about, but it's also about so much more than that! It's set in a modern police arena, although you wouldn't think so with the attitude of a male police officer towards his female colleague DC Sally Poynter. That's more like something out of the 1970's. Pure male chauvinism. He showed so much disdain towards Sally. She could hold her own though. She's a great character.

I loved how the author built the various different relationships within the Police Force, and forged the trusting relationship between DC Poynter and the main suspect Jason Wells.

There is so much packed into the Novella and it is a great plot. Perfect for a quick read in one sitting, with a good twist at the end.

Grab it free for Today only (Weds 29/03/17) - Click here

FROM THE AUTHOR

I live in Nottinghamshire with my family and two Cockapoos Alfie and Lola, who keep me company while I write. I need to drink copious amounts of tea to function throughout the day and if I could, I would survive on a diet of tea and cake while committing murder on a regular basis.
After 16 years service, I was recently medically retired from the police service where I finished as a detective constable on a specialist unit.
My first crime novel, Shallow Waters is set in Nottingham. The lead protagonist is DI Hannah Robbins. Because the novel is written in first-person narrative you get a pretty good feel for who she is.

Rebecca's second novel in the series is Made to Be Broken.

Catch up with Rebecca - Blog // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram